Pokemon Journeys: Goh is Ash’s BEST Partner Yet

Out of all of Ash’s partners throughout the Pokémon franchise, none have been as well-suited to him as Goh is.

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From gym leaders like Misty and Brock to fellow trainers, like May and Dawn, Ash has encountered various partners throughout the Pokémon franchise. Ash usually travels in groups, and though the adventures sometimes lean into his other partners’ goals, the past series have focused primarily on Ash and his own goal of becoming a Pokémon Master.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series diverges from this formula. Instead of traveling with a group of three or more trainers, Ash partners up closely with only one, Goh, who might just be the best companion Ash has ever had. In fact, the new character even overshadows the veteran one most of the time, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

The pair first cross paths in Episode 2, in which Ash, his mom and Mr. Mime arrive at Professor Cerise’s lab where they learn a big raid battle is about to occur. Being the rambunctious kid Ash is, he dashes out of the lab towards the action, though Goh is one step ahead of him. Suddenly, from the clouds, appears the legendary Pokémon Lugia, and after a short battle, both boys jump onto Lugia’s wings.

It’s here that we learn how similar the two boys are. Both are extremely excited by new Pokémon encounters, documenting up-close footage of Lugia’s wings and fur. Compared to Ash, though, Goh comes across as a bit of a know-it-all, as he spouts fact after fact about how Lugia flies, while Ash just enjoys the ride. After their adventure, Professor Cerise decides they should both become research fellows for him. And here is where the real journey shared by these two brotherly characters begins.

With Episode 3, “Ivysaur’s Mysterious Tower,” we go even more in-depth into these two characters’ newly kindled friendship. Just like real brothers, Ash and Goh fight over the top bunk bed at the lab and compete to see how fast they can brush their teeth. But they also argue over more serious topics as well.

Goh is a rather stubborn character. Given the choice to pick a starter Kanto Pokémon, Goh chooses instead to declare he will keep his dream of catching Mew as his first Pokémon alive, despite knowing how elusive Mew is. So, it isn’t surprising that he also is stubborn over how a wild Pokémon should be treated as well.

During this episode, Ash and Goh encounter an Ivysaur trying to reach a tower in the city. It keeps headbutting against a wall instead of making any progress, so Ash decides he needs to help the Pokémon. Goh, however, challenges Ash’s constant desire to help everyone. His viewpoint is similar to what someone would say about assisting stray animals, as Goh claims interfering with a wild Pokémon’s problems will inhibit their growth and make them weaker and unable to live independently. Rarely do other characters challenge Ash’s selflessness to this degree.

Of course, this angers Ash as he decides to help Ivysaur, regardless if it wants his help or not. The characters squabble causes them some difficulty, as they can’t connect with each other even when they are both excited about a new discovery. Once they reach the tower, though, they realize they need to work together and figure out why all the Ivysaurs are there.

Ash’s selflessness and deep camaraderie with his partner Pikachu contrast so well with Goh’s selfishness and desire for a Mythical Pokémon to be his first. Goh may be technically knowledgeable on Pokémon, but he still lacks the overall experience and bonds Ash has grown throughout the series. At the top of the tower, as Ash and Pikachu protect the Ivysaur from Team Rocket’s Hyper Beam, Goh comes to realize just how in-sync Ash and Pikachu are. Ash’s relationship with Pikachu is as strong as ever in this series, with Pikachu truly scaled-up to be a powerful foe. It’s here that Goh acquires a bit of envy towards Ash’s relationship with Pikachu, and perhaps realizes that he shouldn’t prevent himself from catching Pokémon until he re-encounters Mew.

While traveling through the Galar region to see Dynamax Pokémon, Ash and Goh meet a Scorbunny. Here, Goh discovers a connection with the leader-like yet sacrificial Pokémon. Scorbunny sacrifices food and comfort to help out some Nickit survive, even covering itself in mud to fit in with them more. Goh realizes that Scorbunny is holding itself back, and gives it an inspirational speech, letting the Pokémon know it doesn’t have to resign itself to living as a thief. This encourages Scorbunny to follow Goh and Ash on their journey to the Wild Area.

Change doesn’t happen immediately for Goh, though. Despite how hard Scorbunny works to meet up with Goh again, he turns down Scorbunny’s desire to be his Pokémon, even against the advice of Ash who notes how much the Pokémon wants to join them. During a scuffle with a Gigantamax Snorlax, however, Goh realizes Scorbunny’s bravery and love for him, and also realizes just how much fun it is to have a Pokémon partner.

It shouldn’t be understated. Pokémon Journeys: The Series is just as focused on Goh’s growth as a trainer as it is on Ash’s. In fact, it’s arguable Ash takes more of a backseat here than ever before, and that’s a good thing.

As the series continues, Ash acts like an older brother figure to Goh. He cheers him on when he finally catches Scorbunny and helps him to catch even more later. Ash, now an expert at Pokémon battling, gives him tips — albeit ones that are a bit hard to understand. Watching Goh learn from Ash, in turn, shows how much Ash has grown as a character throughout the franchise. During the Indigo League, Ash was the extremely stubborn trainer who had difficulty catching his first Pokémon. In Journeys, Ash has finally progressed to becoming the teacher.

Perhaps this is what being a Pokémon Master means to Ash: not just being the best trainer, but being a best friend to Pokémon and other trainers as well.

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